Commodity recycling method

ABSTRACT

The commodity recycling method of the present invention includes the steps of: selling or renting a commodity to a first user (step S 1 ); collecting the commodity from the first user (step S 2 ); estimating a remaining life of the commodity based on information indicating a usage history of the commodity recorded in a recording section provided in the commodity (step S 3 ); determining sale terms or lease terms based on the estimated remaining life of the commodity (step S 4 ); selling or renting the commodity to a second user in accordance with the sale terms or the lease terms (step S 5 ). The recording section records the information indicating the usage history of the commodity in a manner in which it is substantially impossible for a user of the commodity to alter the usage history information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a commodity recycling method.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Conventionally, commodities, such as home-use electronic andelectric devices, produced and sold on a massive scale in the world havebeen disposed of on a massive scale. In order to decrease the effect onthe environment of such massive disposal, the following measures (1) and(2) have been often taken.

[0003] (1) Select a place for disposing of a commodity according to theproperties of the commodity. For example, a commodity which may beharmful to humans is landfilled in a place distant from a city, and acommodity which may not be harmful to humans is landfilled on theoutskirts of a city.

[0004] (2) Change the form of a commodity into a form which may not haveany effect on the environment, and then the commodity is disposed of.For example, flon, which is one of the causes in disruption of the ozonelayer, is removed from the commodity, and then the commodity is disposedof.

[0005] However, these measures are merely ad hoc. Therefore, afundamental measure for decreasing the effect on the environment ofdisposed commodities by reducing the amount of commodity disposal hasbeen expected.

[0006] Reducing an amount of commodity disposal by recycling commoditiesis one typical example of such fundamental measures.

[0007] In 2001, the “Home Appliances Recycling Law” was enforced inorder to reduce the amount of home-use electronic and electric devices(hereinafter, referred to as “home appliances”) disposal by encouragingthe recycling of the home appliances. This law requires manufacturers ofa particular types of home appliances to collect, dismantle, and rebuildthe home appliances of that particular type.

[0008] Home appliances, which are currently distributed, require manuallabor when they are dismantled into a plurality of parts, because mostof the home appliances are not designed to accommodate automaticdismantling. This means that the dismantlement cost of home appliancesis significantly higher than their manufacturing cost. As a result, thedismantlement cost of home appliances is added to their selling price.Thus, there is a possibility that consumers will have to pay more topurchase the home appliances.

[0009] The Applicant of the present application estimates that it willtake at least a few to 10 years or more after the enforcement of the“Home Appliances Recycling Law” to entirely replace the home appliancescurrently distributed with home appliances which are designed so as toaccommodate automatic dismantlement in a dismantling plant.

[0010] The objective of the present invention is to provide a recyclingmethod which allows a decrease in an operation cost of the dismantlingplant by reducing the amount of commodities (for example, homeappliances) to be dismantled.

[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide arecycling method which implements a global recycling system forefficiently recycling commodities worldwide.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A commodity recycling method of the present invention comprisesthe steps of: selling or renting a commodity to a first user; collectingthe commodity from the first user; estimating a remaining life of thecommodity based on information indicating a usage history of thecommodity recorded in a recording section provided in the commodity;determining sale terms or lease terms based on the estimated remaininglife of the commodity; selling or renting the commodity to a second userin accordance with the sale terms or the lease terms; collecting thecommodity from the second user; and dismantling the commodity into aplurality of parts after the collection of the commodity from the seconduser, wherein the recording section records the information indicatingthe usage history of the commodity in a manner in which it issubstantially impossible for a user of the commodity to alter the usagehistory information, whereby the above objectives are achieved.

[0013] The sale and renting to the first user and the collection of thecommodity from the first user may be performed in a first country, andthe sale and renting of the commodity to the second user and thecollection of the commodity from the second user may be performed in asecond country, which is different from the first country.

[0014] The dismantling of the commodity into a plurality of parts may beperformed in the second country.

[0015] Techniques for dismantling the commodity may be transferred fromthe first country to the second country.

[0016] A guidance on the techniques for dismantling the commodity may beprovided in the second country.

[0017] The commodity may include a device for sending particularinformation which is particular to the commodity.

[0018] The particular information may include distribution informationfor specifying a party involved in a distribution of the commodity, andwhen the particular information from the commodity ceases, may notify aparty involved in the distribution of the commodity, which is specifiedby the distribution information included in the most recent piece ofparticular information from the commodity, that the particularinformation from the commodity has ceased.

[0019] The step of estimating the remaining life of the commodity maycomprise a step of obtaining the information indicating the usagehistory recoded in the recording section via a network.

[0020] Another commodity recycling method of the present inventioncomprises the steps of: selling or renting a commodity to a first user;collecting the commodity from the first user; selling or renting thecommodity to a second user; collecting the commodity from the seconduser; and dismantling the commodity into a plurality of parts after thecollection of the commodity from the second user, wherein the sale andrenting to the first user and the collection of the commodity from thefirst user are performed in a first country, and the sale and renting ofthe commodity to the second user and the collection of the commodityfrom the second user are performed in a second country, which isdifferent from the first country, whereby the above objectives areachieved.

[0021] The dismantling of the commodity into a plurality of parts may beperformed in the second country.

[0022] Techniques for dismantling the commodity may be transferred fromthe first country to the second country.

[0023] A guidance on the techniques for dismantling the commodity may beprovided in the second country.

[0024] The commodity may include a device for sending particularinformation which is particular to the commodity.

[0025] The particular information may include distribution informationfor specifying a party involved in a distribution of the commodity, andwhen the particular information from the commodity ceases, may notify aparty involved in the distribution of the commodity, which is specifiedby the distribution information included in the most recent piece ofparticular information from the commodity, that the particularinformation from the commodity has ceased.

[0026] Another commodity recycling method of the present inventioncomprises the steps of: selling or renting the commodity to a first userin a first country; collecting the commodity from the first user in thefirst country; and exporting the commodity for sale or rental in asecond country, which is different from the first country, whereby theabove objectives are achieved.

[0027] Another commodity recycling method of the present inventioncomprises the steps of: importing a commodity sold or rented to a firstuser and collected from the first user in a first country into a secondcountry, which is different from the first country; selling and rentingthe commodity to a second user in the second country; and collecting thecommodity from the second user in the second country, whereby the aboveobjectives are achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028]FIG. 1 shows a channel of distribution of commodities based on arecycling method according to the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 2A shows another channel of distribution of commodities basedon a recycling method according to the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 2B shows yet another channel of distribution of commoditiesbased on a recycling method according to the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure of the recyclingmethod according to the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 4 shows a structure of a recycle support system 60 supportingthe recycling of commodities.

[0033]FIG. 5 shows a device 1012 having both the function of a usagehistory information storing section 84 and the function of a current-ontimer section 83 shown in FIG. 4.

[0034]FIG. 6A shows a fuse 1000, as an example of the device forirreversibly recording information regarding whether a TV 74 is unusedor not.

[0035]FIG. 6B shows a condition of the fuse 1000 after the TV 74 isused.

[0036]FIG. 6C shows an example in which a protective device 1100 isprovided in the TV 74.

[0037]FIG. 7 shows an example of a management system 70 for managinglife cycles of commodities on a global scale by using communicationssatellites.

[0038]FIG. 8A shows an example of communication channels of commoditiesin the life cycles of the commodities.

[0039]FIG. 8B shows an example of the channel of distribution of acommodity in the case where the commodity is a car.

[0040]FIG. 8C shows an example of the channel of distribution of acommodity in the case where the commodity is an airplane.

[0041]FIG. 8D shows an example of the channel of distribution of acommodity when the commodity is a ship.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0042] As used herein, the term “sale” means “to transfer proprietaryrights from A to B”, and “rent” means “to make a monetary lend-leasecontract between A and B without transferring proprietary rights from Ato B”. Herein, A and B may be either a natural person or a cooperation.Furthermore, the term “rent” encompasses “lease” and “rental”.

[0043] The term “commodity” refers to any type of commodity. Forexample, commodities are cars, home appliances, and the like.

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the drawings.

[0045]FIG. 1 shows a channel of distribution of commodities based on arecycling method according to the present invention.

[0046] A commodity manufacturer 10 manufactures commodities. Thecommodities manufactured by the commodity manufacturer 10 are sold to aleasing company 20.

[0047] The leasing company 20 leases the commodity to a consumer (firstuser) 41 according to lease terms set by a lease contract.

[0048] The leasing company 20 collects the commodity from the consumer(first user) 41, for example, after the lease contract has expired.Alternatively, the leasing company 20 may cancel the lease contract atany time and collect the commodity from the consumer (first user) 41. Insuch a case, it is preferable to pay any lease charges back to theconsumer (first user) 41 according to the lease contract.

[0049] In addition, it is preferable that the leasing company 20 givessome kind of incentive to the consumer (first user) 41 so as to ensurethat the commodity is easily collected from the consumer (first user)41.

[0050] The remaining life of the commodity collected from the consumer(first user) 41 is estimated. Based on the estimated remaining life ofthe commodity, new lease terms are set. A method for estimating theremaining life of the commodity will be described later.

[0051] The leasing company 20 leases the commodity to a consumer (seconduser) 42 according to the lease terms determined based on the estimatedremaining life of the commodity. Typically, the consumer (first user) 41and the consumer (second user) 42 are different because when theconsumer(first user) 41 desires to extend the lease contract, theconsumer (first user) 41 usually continues to use the commodity withouthaving it collected. However, the consumer (first user) 41 and theconsumer (second user) 42 may be the same.

[0052] The leasing company 20 collects the commodity from the consumer(second user) 42, for example, after the lease contract has expired.Alternatively, the leasing company 20 may cancel the lease contract atany time and collect the commodity from the consumer (second user) 42.In such a case, it is preferable to pay any lease charges back to theconsumer (second user) 42 according to the lease contract.

[0053] In addition, it is preferable that the leasing company 20 givessome kind of incentive to the consumer (second user) 42 so as to ensurethat the commodity is easily collected from the consumer (second user)42.

[0054] The commodity collected from the consumer (second user) 42 isdetermined whether it can be an object of a further lease contract. Forexample, when the estimated remaining life of the collected commodity isstill sufficiently long (i.e., a value indicating the estimatedremaining life of the commodity is equal to or greater than a presetthreshold), the commodity may be an object of a further lease contract.

[0055] Thus, lease and collection are repeated between the leasingcompany 20 and the consumers 41, 42, . . . any number of times.

[0056] Alternatively, when the estimated remaining life of the collectedcommodity is short (i.e., a value indicating the estimated remaininglife of the commodity is less than a preset threshold), the commoditycannot be an object of a further lease contract. In this case, thecommodity is sent to a dismantling plant 30 from the leasing company 20.In the dismantling plant 30, the commodity is dismantled into aplurality of parts.

[0057] Most of the home appliances which are currently distributed arenot designed to accommodate automatic dismantling. Therefore, thecommodity is dismantled by a labor-intensive operation in thedismantling plant 30. This increases the operation cost of thedismantling plant 30.

[0058] One of the methods for decreasing the operation cost of thedismantling plant 30 contemplated is a method in which the lease company20 varies the lease terms for leasing the commodity to the consumer,depending on an operating schedule of the dismantling plant 30.

[0059] For example, the dismantling plant 30 submits the operatingschedule of the dismantling plant 30 to the leasing company 20. Theoperating schedule of the dismantling plant 30 is determined in view ofvarious specific requirements, such as seasonal factors of laborers.

[0060] The lease company 20 varies the lease terms so that an amount ofcommodities brought to the dismantling plant 30 conforms to a throughput capacity of the dismantling plant 30. For example, for the commoditywhich is to be collected at the time when the throughput capacity of thedismantling plant 30 is decreased, the lease charge is set to be higherthan a standard charge. On the other hand, for the commodity which is tobe collected at the time when the throughput capacity of the dismantlingplant 30 is increased, the lease charge is set to be lower than thestandard charge.

[0061] Such variable lease terms are different from the conventionalterms where the lease charge decreases as the lease period increases.

[0062] In order to link the operation schedule of the dismantling plant30 and the lease terms of the leasing company 20 in a manner asdescribed above, it is preferable that a proprietor of the dismantlingplant 30 and that of the leasing company 20 is the same. Alternatively,it is at least preferable that the dismantling plant 30 and the leasingcompany 20 are in cooperation.

[0063] Additionally, the dismantling plant 30 may submit the operatingschedule of the dismantling plant 30 to the commodity manufacturer 10.

[0064] As the automatic dismantle design technology spreads in thecommodity manufacturer 10, the automation of the dismantling plant 30 ispromoted because the automatic dismantlement of the commodity isfacilitated. As a result, a dismantling operation of the commodityshifts from a labor-intensive operation to a knowledge intensiveoperation. Thus, the operation cost of the dismantling plant 30 can bedecreased.

[0065] Furthermore, as the automatic dismantle design technology spreadsin the commodity manufacturer 10, the rebuilding of a material in thedismantling plant 30 is promoted. For example, in the dismantling plant30, a material may be rebuilt from at least one part obtained bydismantling the commodity, or at least a portion of a new commodity maybe manufactured from the rebuilt material. Thus, the operation cost ofthe dismantling plant 30 can be further decreased.

[0066] The leasing company 20 shown in FIG. 1 may be replaced with asales company. In this case, the sales company sells the commodity tothe consumer (second user) 42 according to sale terms which aredetermined based on the estimated remaining life of the commodity. Thesales company collects the commodity from the consumer (second user) 42,or the sales company may entrust the collection of the commodity toanother company. Alternatively, the leasing company 20 or the salescompany may lease and sell the commodities.

[0067]FIGS. 2A and 2B show other channels of distribution of commoditiesbased on a recycling method according to the present invention.

[0068] In an example shown in FIG. 2A, a commodity manufacturer 10 and aleasing company 20 are established in a first country and a leasingcompany 22 and a dismantling plant 30 are established in a secondcountry. Typically, the first country is a developed country (e.g.,Japan). The second country is typically a developing country (e.g.,India).

[0069] The leasing company 20 in the first country leases a commodity toa consumer (first user) 41 according to preset lease terms and collectsthe commodity from the consumer (first user) 41.

[0070] The commodity collected from the consumer (first user) 41 isexported to the leasing company 22 in the second country for sale orlease in the second country. The commodity collected from the consumer(first user) 41 may be leased and collected in the first country again,and then exported to the leasing company 22 in the second country.

[0071] The leasing company 22 in the second country imports thecommodity from the first country to the second country, leases thecommodity to a consumer (second user) 42, according to lease terms whichare determined based on an estimated remaining life of the commodity,and collects the commodity from the consumer (second user) 42. A saleprice of the commodity to be leased to the consumer (second user) 42 ispreferably about 5 to 10% of that of a brand new product. Such a lowprice may be a powerful incentive for consumers in the second country(especially, a developing country) to purchase the commodity.

[0072] After the commodity is collected from the consumer (second user)42, the commodity is dismantled in to a plurality of parts in adismantling plant 30 in the second country.

[0073] By establishing the dismantling plant 30 in the second country(especially, a developing country), inexpensive labor which is requiredfor the labor-intensive operation can be more easily provided to thedismantling plant 30. Thus, an operation cost of the dismantling plant30 can be decreased.

[0074] When the dismantling plant 30 is established in the secondcountry (especially, a developing country), it is preferable thattechniques for dismantling the commodity are transferred from the firstcountry to the second country, and a guidance on the techniques fordismantling the commodity is provided in the second country. Thus, thetechnical skill of the laborers in the second country is improved. As aresult, the operation cost of the dismantling plant can be furtherdecreased. Moreover, as the industry of dismantling commodities developsin the second country, employment can be created.

[0075] The leasing company 20 and the leasing company 22 may be onecompany, or may be separate companies.

[0076] As described above, by distributing used commodities to thesecond country (especially, a developing country), and dismantling theused commodities in the second country with a technical cooperation ofthe first country (especially, a developed country), desire of consumersin the second country to purchase the products is satisfied, andtechniques of the laborers in the second country improves. Thus, a“global recycling system” across the border is built, which maycontribute to the “protection of the environment of the planet”.

[0077] In an example shown in FIG. 2B, a commodity manufacturer 10 and aleasing company 20 are established in the first country, and adismantling plant 30 is established in the second country. The exampleshown in FIG. 2B is identical with the example shown in FIG. 2A exceptthat a dealer 50 which handles export of a commodity from the firstcountry to the second country directly lease the commodity to a consumer(second user) 42.

[0078] The examples shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B represent a relationshipbetween two countries, the first country and the second country.However, this relationship can be established among three or morecountries. For example, the commodity collected in the first country maybe leased in the second country, and the commodity collected in thesecond country may be leased in the third country, etc.

[0079] Each of the leasing companies 20, 22 and the dealer 50 shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B may be replaced with a sales company. In this case, thesales company sells the commodity to the consumer according to saleterms which are determined based on the estimated remaining life of thecommodity. The sales company collects the commodity from the consumer,or the sales company may entrust the collection of the commodity toanother company. Alternatively, at least one of the leasing companies20, 22 and the dealer 50 may lease and sell the commodities, or thesales company may lease and sell the commodities.

[0080]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure of the recyclingmethod according to the present invention.

[0081] Step S1: Sell or rent a commodity to a first user.

[0082] Step S2: Collect the commodity from the first user.

[0083] Step S3: Estimate the remaining life of the commodity collectedfrom the first user.

[0084] Step S4: Determine sale terms or lease terms based on theremaining estimated remaining life of the commodity.

[0085] Step S5: Sell or rent the commodity to a second user according tosale terms or lease terms determined at step S4.

[0086] Step S6: Collect the commodity from the second user.

[0087] Step S7: Dismantle the commodity into a plurality of parts afterthe collection of the commodity from the second user.

[0088] In the examples shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, steps S1 and S2 shownin FIG. 3 are performed in the first country, and steps S5, S6, and S7shown in FIG. 3 are performed in the second country, which is differentfrom the first country.

[0089] In the example shown in FIG. 2A, a leasing company 20 performssteps S1 and S2, and then performs a step of exporting commoditiescollected in step S2. Thereafter, a leasing company 22 performs a stepof importing the commodity into the second country which is differentfrom the first country, and then performs steps S5, S6, and S7.

[0090] The steps S3 and S4 shown in FIG. 3 may be omitted.

[0091]FIG. 4 shows a structure of a recycle support system 60 supportingthe recycling of commodities.

[0092] The recycle support system 60 comprises a service center 61, ahome 62, and a network 63 connecting the service center 61 and the home62. An office 64 may be connected to the network 63. The network 63 maybe any type of network (e.g., the Internet).

[0093] The service center 61 may be provided in, for example, theleasing company 20 (FIG. 1).

[0094] Consumers reside in the home 62. In the home 62, there isequipment (information appliances), such as a refrigerator 71, apersonal computer (PC) 72, a DVD recording and playing device (DVD) 73,a television (TV) 74, and the like. The equipment are connected to eachother via a home LAN 75 provided in the home 62.

[0095] The TV 74 comprises a network communication section 81 having afunction of communicating with the service center 61 via the network 63,a main body circuit 82 for implementing the functions of the TV 74, acurrent-on timer section 83 for timing a total current-on time of the TV74, a usage history information storing section 84 for recording thetotal current-on time timed by the current-on timer section 83, and aproduct specification and purchase information recording section 85 forrecording product specification information and purchase information ofthe TV 74.

[0096] The product specification information of the TV 74 is recorded inthe product specification and purchase information recording section 85when the TV 74 is shipped. The product specification information of theTV 74 includes a name of the manufacturer, category of the product, nameof the model, manufacture date, serial number, and the like.

[0097] The purchase information of the TV 74 is recorded in the productspecification and purchase information recording section 85 when theconsumer purchases the TV 74 (or when the consumer begins leasing the TV74). The purchase information of the TV 74 includes the date of purchaseof the TV 74 by the consumer (or the date on which the consumer beginsleasing the TV 74), and the like.

[0098] The current-on timer section 83 is implemented by, for example, atimer which starts when power is supplied to then TV 74 for operation.An accumulated value of the total current-on time of the TV 74 can becalculated based on the values timed by the timer. The accumulated valueof the total current-on time of the TV 74 may be stored in the usagehistory information storing section 84 as the usage history information.

[0099] Alternatively, the number of times power is supplied to the TV 74and is shut off may be stored in the usage history information storingsection 84 as the usage history information.

[0100] The usage history information recorded in the usage historyinformation storing section 84 and the product specification informationand purchase information recorded in the product specification andpurchase information recording section 85 are sent to the service center61 via the network 63 to be stored in a memory 93 in the service center61.

[0101] A CPU 92 estimates the remaining life of the TV 74 based on theusage history information (e.g., the accumulated value of the totalcurrent-on time of the TV 74) stored in the memory 93. The greater theaccumulated value of the total current-on time of the TV 74, the shorterthe estimated remaining life of the TV 74, and the smaller theaccumulated value of the total current-on time of the TV 74, the longerthe estimated remaining life of the TV 74. In addition to theaccumulated value of the total current-on time of the TV 74, informationregarding the existence of any problems with the TV 74 or the extentsuch problems may also be considered when the remaining life of the TV74 is estimated.

[0102] Alternatively, the CPU 92 may estimate the remaining life of theTV 74 based on the product specification information (e.g., manufacturedate) stored in the memory 93. For example, the greater the differencebetween the current date and the manufacture date (i.e., current dateminus manufacture date), the shorter the estimated remaining life of theTV 74, and the smaller the difference between the current date and themanufacture date (i.e., current date minus manufacture date), the longerthe estimated remaining life of the TV 74. The current date may beobtained by using, for example, a clock mechanism (not shown)incorporated in the CPU 92.

[0103] Thus, the remaining life of the commodity pan be estimated. Ofcourse, the method for estimating the life of the commodity is notlimited to the method described above. Any method for estimating thelife of the commodity may be applied at step S3 shown in FIG. 3.

[0104] The communication between the service center 61 and the home 62is performed, for example, by transmitting packets of information. Apacket includes a header portion indicating an address to which thepacket is transmitted and a data portion including information to betransmitted. The header portion includes an equipment identificationnumber assigned to each piece of equipment in the home 62, and a homeidentification number assigned to each home. By forming the headerportion having such a structure, packets can be sent from the servicecenter 61 to particular equipment in the home 62, or, conversely,packets can be sent from particular equipment in the home 62 to theservice center 61. In order to achieve this, each piece of equipment inthe home 62 may communicate with the service center 61, or each piece ofequipment in the home 62 may communicate with the service center 61 viaa particular piece of equipment (e.g., the PC 72).

[0105] The CPU 92 determines the sale terms and lease terms based on theestimated remaining life of the commodity. For example, the shorter theestimated remaining life of the commodity, the lower the sales or rentalprice, and the longer the estimated remaining life of the commodity, thehigher the sales or rental price. Alternatively, the shorter theestimated remaining life of the commodity, the shorter the lease period,and the longer the estimated remaining life of the commodity, the longerthe lease period.

[0106] Thus, the sale terms and the lease terms are determined based onthe estimated remaining life of the commodity. Of course, the method fordetermining the sale terms and the lease terms is not limited to themethod described above. Any method for determining the sale terms andthe lease terms based on the estimated remaining life of the commoditymay be applied at step S4 shown in FIG. 3.

[0107] By constructing an environment in which the service center 61 andthe home 62 are connected to each other via the network 63, as shown inFIG. 4, the sale terms and the lease terms can be determined based onthe estimated remaining life of the TV 74 before the TV 74 is actuallycollected. Thus, when the consumer requests the service center 61 to buythe TV 74 from the consumer, it is possible to estimate the price of TV74 without actually moving the TV 74.

[0108] The sale terms and the lease terms may also be determined afterthe TV 74 is collected, based on the estimated remaining life of the TV74, by directly connecting the network communication section 81 of theTV 74 and the network communication section 91 of the service center 61without the network 63.

[0109] Alternatively, the usage history information may be read from theusage history information storing section 84, or the productspecification information and the purchase information may be read fromthe product specification and the purchase information recording section85 without passing through the network communication section 81.

[0110]FIG. 5 shows a device 1012 having both the function of the usagehistory information storing section 84 and the function of thecurrent-on timer section 83 shown in FIG. 4. The recording device 1012is a disposal type device which is replaceable. The recording device1012 is incorporated in the TV 74.

[0111] The recording device 1012 comprises a constant-current circuit414, MOS transistors 410 to 413, a terminal 415 which is connected tothe main body circuit 82 (FIG. 4), a terminal 416 which is connected tothe network communication section 81, and a resistor 417.

[0112] The recording device 1012 receives a control signal from the mainbody circuit 82 via the terminal 415. The control signal is input to theconstant-current circuit 414 and respective gates of the MOS transistors410 to 413. When power is supplied to the TV 74 (i.e., current startsflowing into the TV 74), the control signal goes to a high level. Thus,the constant-current circuit 414 and the MOS transistors 410 to 413 areturned on, and currents flow through the sources and drains of the MOStransistors 410 to 413.

[0113] When the power to the TV 74 is shut off (i.e., current stopsflowing to the TV 74), the control signal goes to a low level. Thus, theconstant-current circuit 414 and the MOS transistors 410 to 413 areturned off, and currents do not flow through the sources and drains ofthe MOS transistors 410 to 413. Therefore, current flows through each ofthe MOS transistors 410 to 413 only during the current-on time of the TV74.

[0114] Each of the MOS transistors 410 to 413 deteriorates afterdifferent predetermined periods of time (e.g., a breakdown of a gateoxide film of the MOS transistor occurs), and do not function as the MOStransistor any more. For example, the MOS transistors 410 to 413 aredesigned such that the breakdowns of the gate oxide films occur when thetotal current-on time of the TV 74 is respectively 10,000 hours, 5,000hours, 1,000 hours, and 500 hours. Such a design can be achieved byadjusting materials for the gate oxide films. When the total current-ontime of the TV 74 is 2,000 hours, the breakdown of the gate oxide filmsof the MOS transistors 412 and 413 have already occurred.

[0115] The potential at the terminal 416 can be read by the networkcommunication section 81. The read potential is sent to the servicecenter 61 via the network 63 as information indicating the accumulatedvalue of the total current-on time of the TV 74. Thus, the servicecenter 61 obtains the usage history information of the TV 74 via thenetwork 63, and estimates the remaining life of the TV 74 based on theusage history information.

[0116] Since it is difficult to restore the gate oxide films of the MOStransistors after breakdown, with the recoding device 1012, it issubstantially impossible for the user (e.g., the first user) of the TV74 to alter the information indicating the accumulated value of thetotal current-on time of the TV 74.

[0117] As described above, the recording device 1012 functions as arecording section for recording the information indicating theaccumulated value of the total current-on time of the TV 74 (informationindicating the usage history of the TV 74) in a manner in which it isimpossible for the user to alter.

[0118] However, such a recording section may not be provided as aseparate circuit from the main circuit of the TV 74. For example, adisplay screen of the TV 74 deteriorates irreversibly in accordance withthe usage history of the TV 74. Thus, the display screen of the TV 74may be used as a recording section for recording the informationindicating the usage history of the TV 74 in a manner in which it isimpossible for the user to alter. In this case, for example, after thecollection of the TV 74, a particular test pattern may be projected onthe display screen of the TV 74, and based on the resolution thereof,the remaining life of the TV 74 may be estimated according to a sensorycriteria. The remaining life of the TV 74 may also be estimated by imageprocessing of the projected test pattern and using an expert systemconstructed by programming such a sensory criteria.

[0119] If the first user has not ever used the TV 74 for some reasonafter it is sold or rented to the first user until the TV 74 iscollected, the TV 74 is sold or rented to the second user in an almostbrand-new condition. In this case, it is preferable that the sale termsor lease terms of the TV 74 to the second user are determined based onthe fact that the TV 74 is unused. For example, it is preferable to seta high sale price or the rental price of the TV 74 to the second user.For this purpose, a device for irreversibly recording the informationregarding whether the TV 74 is unused or not may be provided in the TV74.

[0120]FIG. 6A shows a fuse 1000, as an example of the device forirreversibly recording the information regarding whether the TV 74 isunused or not. The fuse 1000 is provided on a wire which connects themain body circuit 84 of the TV 74 and a power source. The fuse 1000breaks when voltages above the predetermined voltage are applied to bothends thereof. The predetermined voltage is adjusted to be lower than thevoltage required for operating the main body circuit 84 of the TV 74.

[0121]FIG. 6B shows a condition of the fuse 1000 after the TV 74 isused. When the TV 74 is used (i.e., the TV 74 is connected to the powersource), the fuse 1000 breaks. Since the broken fuse cannot be restored,the fuse 1000 functions as the device for irreversibly recordinginformation regarding whether the TV 74 is unused or not. After thecollection of the TV 74, the condition of the fuse 1000 is examined, andwhen the fuse 1000 is not broken, it is recognized that the TV 74 isunused.

[0122] In order to remove surges or pulses occurring when the fuse 100breaks, a protective device 110 may be provided in the TV 74.

[0123]FIG. 6C shows an example in which the protective device 1100 isprovided in the TV 74. For the protective device 1100, any type ofcircuit which is capable of removing surges or pulses occurring when thefuse 1000 breaks may be used. By providing such a protective device1100, the main body circuit 82 can be protected against a bad influenceof the surges and pulses.

[0124] In the examples shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6A to 6C, explanationhas been made with reference to the TV 74 for an example of thecommodity. Similar explanation can be applied to information appliancesand other commodities, such as, the refrigerator 71, the PC 72, the DVD73, and the like.

[0125] In order to efficiently recycle a commodity, a life cycle of thecommodity, from the manufacture to the disposal, must be managed. Amethod for managing a life cycle of the commodity is explained below.

[0126] It is preferable that the commodity comprises a device forsending particular information which is particular to the commodity(e.g., the product specification information described above). Theparticular information may be sent at a periodic interval or may be sentirregularly.

[0127] For example, in the case where the product specification andpurchase information recording section 85 and the network communicationsection 81 are incorporated in the TV 74 as shown in FIG. 4, the productspecification information recorded in the product specification andpurchase information recording section 85 may be sent as the particularinformation.

[0128] The product specification information sent from the TV 74 isstored in the memory 93 in the service center 61 via the network 63.Thus, the commodity can be managed by collecting the particularinformation particular to the commodity and storing the particularinformation in the service center 61.

[0129] The commodity is not always connected to a network, such as thewired connection to the network 63. Therefore, it is preferable that thedevice for sending the particular information of the commodity is formedto send the particular information of the commodity in a wirelessmanner. Furthermore, the particular information which is sent in awireless manner may be received by a communications satellite.

[0130]FIG. 7 shows an example of a management system 70 for managinglife cycles of commodities on a global scale by using communicationssatellites. In FIG. 7, the like reference numerals indicate likeelements as shown in FIG. 4, and the description thereof is omitted. Inthe example shown in FIG. 7, a refrigerator 71 is sold or rented to afirst user in a first country (Japan), then collected and sent to asecond country (India). The refrigerator 71 is sold or rented to asecond user in the second country.

[0131] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the network 63 includes a firstcountry station 710, a second country station 711, and a communicationssatellite 712. The refrigerator 71 comprises a device for sendingparticular information of a commodity, which is formed to send theparticular information of the commodity in a wireless manner.

[0132] When the refrigerator 71 is used in the first country, theparticular information of the refrigerator 71 is sent to the servicecenter 61 via the station 710. Herein, the service center 61 is assumedto be in the first country. When the refrigerator 71 is used in thesecond country, the particular information of the refrigerator 71 issent to the service center 61 via the station 711 and the communicationssatellite 712. When the refrigerator 71 is loaded in a ship 750transporting the refrigerator 71 from the first country (Japan) to thesecond country (India), the particular information of the refrigerator71 is sent to the service center 61 via the communications satellite712.

[0133] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the explanation is made withreference to the refrigerator 71 as an example of the commodity. Similarexplanation can be applied to information appliances and othercommodities, such as the PC 72, the DVD 73, the TV 74, and the likeshown in FIG. 4.

[0134] By constructing the network 63 as shown in FIG. 7, the particularinformation of the commodity can be collected and stored in the servicecenter 61 irrespective of the location of the commodity.

[0135] An amount of information required for the communication of theparticular information of the commodity is small. Therefore, theparticular information of the commodity can be collected and stored inthe service center 61 with a significantly low cost.

[0136] Further, in the case where the particular information of thecommodity includes distribution information for specifying a partyinvolved in the distribution of the commodity (e.g., the purchaser ofthe commodity, user of the leased commodity, supervisor in thetransportation of the commodity, supervisor in exporting the commodity,supervisor in importing the commodity, and the like), when theparticular information from the commodity ceases, the party involved inthe distribution of the commodity, specified by the distributioninformation included in the most recent piece of particular informationsent from the commodity, may be notified that the particular informationfrom the commodity ceases. Along with the notification, a responsibilityfor collecting the commodity may be placed on the party involved in thedistribution of the commodity.

[0137] Thus, responsibilities for managing the commodity can be definedat any point in the life cycle of the commodity. As a result, it ispossible to prevent the commodity from being illegally disposed of, forexample, in the sea or in a field.

[0138] The particular information may include the information regardingthe country in which the commodity is manufactured, and/or theinformation regarding the manufacturer of the commodity. When an illegaldisposal of the commodity occurs, at least a part of the responsibilitymay be placed on the country in which the commodity is manufacturedand/or the manufacturer of the commodity.

[0139] The particular information may include information for specifyinga country which is suitable for dismantling the commodity. The countryis specified based on, for example, achievements in transfer of thetechniques for dismantling the commodity from the country in which thecommodity is manufactured. Thus, the global management of the lifecycles of the commodities can be efficiently performed.

[0140] In the examples shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, manufacture of thecommodity and the sale and renting of the commodity to the first userare performed in the first country, and the sale and renting to thesecond user are performed in the second country. However, themanufacture of the commodity, and the sale and renting to the first userof the commodity may be performed in different countries. Furthermore,the sale and renting to the second user, and the dismantling of thecommodity may be performed in different countries. Hereinafter, thecountry in which the commodity is manufactured is referred to as thecountry of manufacture, the country in which the sale and renting to thefirst user is performed is referred to as the country of first use, thecountry in which the sale and renting to the second user is performed isreferred to as the country of second use, and the country in whichdismantling is performed is referred to as the country of dismantling.

[0141]FIG. 8A shows an example of communication channels of commoditiesin the life cycles of the commodities. In the example shown in FIG. 8A,a commodity produced in the country of manufacture is sent to the firstcountry, and is sold or rented to the first user in the first country.The commodity is collected from the first user, then sent to the secondcountry, and is sold or rented to the second user in the second country.The commodity is collected from the second user, sent to the country ofdismantling, and is dismantled. The techniques for dismantling thecommodity is transferred from the country of production to the countryof dismantling.

[0142] In FIGS. 8A to 8D, the solid line arrows represent a channel ofdistribution, and the broken line arrow represents a channel oftransferring the techniques for dismantling the commodity.

[0143] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 8B to 8D, specific examplesof the channels of distribution of the commodities are shown for each ofthe types of commodity.

[0144]FIG. 8B shows an example of the channel of distribution of thecommodity in the case where the commodity is a car.

[0145] A car manufactured in Japan is used by the first user in Japan.The car is collected from the first user, and exported to China, Russia,or the countries of Southeast Asia as a used car. The car is used by thesecond user in one of these countries, and then sent to the country ofdismantling, which can provide a labor-intensive operation (e.g., India,the countries of Africa, and the like).

[0146] A car manufactured in the United States is used by the first userin the United States. A number of the cars collected from the first userare used in the United States as used cars. Some of the cars collectedfrom the first user are exported to, for example, the countries of SouthAmerica to be sold or rented. The car is used by the second user in thecountries of South America, and then dismantling is performed in thecountries of South America, or the countries of Africa, which canprovide the labor-intensive operation.

[0147] In order to appropriately manage the life cycles of the cars overthe channel of distribution shown in FIG. 8B, the management system 70which is described with reference to FIG. 7 may be used.

[0148] Further, it is preferable that techniques for dismantling thecars are transferred from Japan to the countries of dismantling, such asIndia, the countries of Africa, and the like. Similarly, it ispreferable that techniques for dismantling the cars are transferred fromthe United States to the countries of dismantling, such as the countriesof South America, the countries of Africa, and the like.

[0149]FIG. 8C shows an example of the channel of distribution of thecommodity in the case where the commodity is an airplane.

[0150] An, airplane manufactured in the United States is used by thefirst user in the United States, Japan, the countries of Europe, or thelike. The Airplane is collected from the first user, and then used bythe second user in the countries of South America, or the countries ofAfrica. Finally, the airplane which has reached its dismantling age isdismantled in the country which can provide the labor-intensiveoperation, such as India, the countries of Africa, and the like. Beforedismantling the airplane in the country of dismantling (e.g., India),the airplane may be sold or rented to a user again in the country ofdismantling.

[0151] In order to appropriately manage the life cycles of the airplanesover the channel of distribution shown in FIG. 8C, the management system70 which is described with reference to FIG. 7 may be used.

[0152] Further, it is preferable that techniques for dismantling theairplanes are transferred from the United States to the countries ofdismantling, such as India, the countries of Africa, and the like.

[0153]FIG. 8D shows an example of the channel of distribution of thecommodity when the commodity is a ship.

[0154] Japan and Korea are examples of the countries of the manufactureof the ship. A ship manufactured in one of these countries ofmanufacture is used by a first user in Greece or Liberia (i.e., withGreek registration or Liberian registration). Then, the ship is used bythe second user as a used ship in China, the countries of SoutheastAsia, the countries of Middle East, and the like. Finally, the ship issent to India, the countries of Africa, or China, which can provide thelabor-intensive operation for dismantling the ship.

[0155] In order to appropriately manage the life cycles of the ship overthe channel of distribution shown in FIG. 8D, the management system 70which is described with reference to FIG. 7 may be used.

[0156] Further, it is preferable that techniques for dismantling theship are transferred from Japan or Korea to the countries ofdismantling, such as India, the countries of Africa, China, and thelike.

[0157] The airplanes and ships are formed of a large number of parts. Itis preferable that a device for sending particular information isprovided in every major part of the airplanes and the ships. Thus, thelife cycle of each of the major parts can be managed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0158] As described in detail above, according to the present invention,a commodity collected from a first user is sold or rented to a seconduser in accordance with terms which are determined based on an estimatedremaining life of the commodity. Thus, it is possible to make use of thecommodity for the total length of the life of the commodity. As aresult, an amount of commodities to be dismantled is decreased, and anoperation cost of the dismantling plant can be decreased. Moreover, twoparties can have an appropriate negotiation for the sale and renting ofthe commodity in view of the life of an individual commodity.

[0159] According to the present invention, sale and rental of thecommodity to the first user and the collection of the commodity from thefirst user are performed in a first country (e.g., a developed country),and sale and rental of the commodity to the second user and thecollection of the commodity from the second user are performed in asecond country, which is different from the first country (e.g., adeveloping country). Dismantling of the commodity into a plurality ofparts is performed in the second country. Thus, a global recyclingsystem for efficiently recycling commodities on a global scale can beimplemented

What is claimed is:
 1. A commodity recycling method, comprising thesteps of: selling or renting a commodity to a first user; collecting thecommodity from the first user; estimating a remaining life of thecommodity based on information indicating a usage history of thecommodity recorded in a recording section provided in the commodity;determining sale terms or lease terms based on the estimated remaininglife of the commodity; selling or renting the commodity to a second userin accordance with the sale terms or the lease terms; collecting thecommodity from the second user; and dismantling the commodity into aplurality of parts after the collection of the commodity from the seconduser, wherein the recording section records the information indicatingthe usage history of the commodity in a manner in which it issubstantially impossible for a user of the commodity to alter the usagehistory information.
 2. A commodity recycling method according to claim1, wherein the sale and renting to the first user and the collection ofthe commodity from the first user are performed in a first country, andthe sale and renting of the commodity to the second user and thecollection of the commodity from the second user are performed in asecond country, which is different from the first country.
 3. Acommodity recycling method according to claim 2, wherein the dismantlingof the commodity into a plurality of parts is performed in the secondcountry.
 4. A commodity recycling method according to claim 3, whereintechniques for dismantling the commodity are transferred from the firstcountry to the second country.
 5. A commodity recycling method accordingto claim 3, wherein a guidance on the techniques for dismantling thecommodity is provided in the second country.
 6. A commodity recyclingmethod according to claim 1, wherein the commodity includes a device forsending particular information which is particular to the commodity. 7.A commodity recycling method according to claim 6, wherein theparticular information includes distribution information for specifyinga party involved in a distribution of the commodity, and when theparticular information from the commodity ceases, notifies a partyinvolved in the distribution of the commodity, which is specified by thedistribution information included in the most recent piece of particularinformation from the commodity, that the particular information from thecommodity has ceased.
 8. A commodity recycling method according to claim1, wherein the step of estimating the remaining life of the commoditycomprises a step of obtaining the information indicating the usagehistory recoded in the recording section via a network.
 9. A commodityrecycling method, comprising the steps of: selling or renting acommodity to a first user: collecting the commodity from the first user;selling or renting the commodity to a second user; collecting thecommodity from the second user; and dismantling the commodity into aplurality of parts after the collection of the commodity from the seconduser, wherein the sale and renting to the first user and the collectionof the commodity from the first user are performed in a first country,and the sale and renting of the commodity to the second user and thecollection of the commodity from the second user are performed in asecond country, which is different from the first country.
 10. Acommodity recycling method according to claim 9, wherein the dismantlingof the commodity into a plurality of parts is performed in the secondcountry.
 11. A commodity recycling method according to claim 10, whereintechniques for dismantling the commodity are transferred from the firstcountry to the second country.
 12. A commodity recycling methodaccording to claim 10, wherein a guidance on the techniques fordismantling the commodity is provided in the second country.
 13. Acommodity recycling method according to claim 9, wherein the commodityincludes a device for sending particular information which is particularto the commodity.
 14. A commodity recycling method according to claim13, wherein the particular information includes distribution informationfor specifying a party involved in a distribution of the commodity, andwhen the particular information from the commodity ceases, notifies aparty involved in the distribution of the commodity, which is specifiedby the distribution information included in the most recent piece ofparticular information from the commodity, that the particularinformation from the commodity has ceased.
 15. A commodity recyclingmethod, comprising the steps of: selling or renting the commodity to afirst user in a first country; collecting the commodity from the firstuser in the first country; and exporting the commodity for sale orrental in a second country, which is different from the first country.16. A commodity recycling method, comprising the steps of: importing acommodity sold or rented to a first user and collected from the firstuser in a first country into a second country, which is different fromthe first country; selling and renting the commodity to a second user inthe second country; and collecting the commodity from the second user inthe second country.